Gina Miller: The woman behind the Brexit bombshell

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Gina Miller was the chief claimant in the case against the UK government in London.

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Woman behind court battle is philanthropist and banker

Miller says decision was "right for our country"

(CNN)When David Cameron resigned as British Prime Minister in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, a woman stepped up to shape the country's future.

But, after a momentous court ruling delivered Thursday, Prime Minister Theresa May has lost some of the control she enjoyed. Instead, a London-based businesswoman and philanthropist has seized the momentum.

Gina Miller is the lead claimant in a historic action that thwarted the UK government's plans to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty -- starting the formal process of Britain leaving the European Union -- without a vote in Parliament.

Miller's victory means that the Brexit process can't begin until UK lawmakers have had their say -- likely adding yet more frustration and delay to a government that has yet to lay out its clear plan for Brexit.

But who is Miller? Why is she taking on May and the Brexiteers -- and has she won?

As well as helping consumers and businesses, she and her husband have both given thousands of pounds to charities in the UK, including the Lady Thatcher infirmary at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

What she said

Miller, who brought the case with hairdresser Deir Dos Santos, said she was delighted after the court ruled that members of parliament must be given a say in the process of leaving the EU.

Phil Jones, 'People's Challenge' member waves an EU flag outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

"This result today is about all of us: our United Kingdom and our futures," Miller said in a statement.

"It is not about how any of us voted -- each of us voted to do what we believed was the right thing for our country.

"This case is about process, not politics. My dedicated legal team -- Mishcon de Reya and counsel -- are, alongside myself and my supporters, pleased to have played our part in helping form a debate on whether the rights conferred on UK citizens through Parliament legislation 44 years ago could be casually snuffed out by the Executive without Parliament or our elected representatives and without proper prior consultation about the Government's intentions for Brexit.

"However you voted on 23 June, we all owe it to our country to uphold the highest standards of transparency and democratic accountability that we are admired and respected for around the world."

While Miller has won plaudits for taking her case to court, she has also been the subject of vicious online trolling.

The racist abuse Gina Miller is getting today is quite something to behold

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Grahame Pigney, who was part of the campaign, "welcomed the decision as "the alternative would have meant a horrifying executive power grab that has no place in a modern democracy."

He added: "We started this challenge in order to protect parliamentary sovereignty and the rights of millions of UK Citizens; the Court's decision has justified our action. Hopefully the debate on and passing of primary legislation by Parliament will result in a more positive and less divisive way forward for the UK."